Vaginal diaphragm inserter



Dec. 5, 1939. o, w. GRAVELEY,

VAGINAL DIAPHRAGM INSERTER Filed Feb. 16, 1938 INVENTOR Of hf grzwgfg.

v A@ l 'RNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VAGINAL DIAPHRAGM INSERTER Oscar W. Graveley, New York, N. Y.

Application February 16, 1938, Serial No. 190,699

2 Claims. (C1. 12S-127) My invention relates to an inserter of the type referred to, and has reference more particularly to a self-adjusting inserter, so that diaphragms of different sizes could be accommodated on the inserter, without any previous adjustment for the size.

An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive device, which has no parts requiring pre-adjustment for accommodating different sizes of diaphragms, and in which the parts are so arranged that no injury may be caused by its use for the purp-ose designed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class referred to, which can be sterilized easily as a unit, without the necessityT of taking it apart for such purpose.

In the appended drawing forming part of this application, Figure 1 is a vertical section through the inserter embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section on line 2 2, and

Figure 3 is an enlarged end view from the notched extremity.

Referring to the drawing, 5 is a tubular section of suitable material, such as hard rubber, having a reduced bore 6 near its closed end 1. At the open end, it is provided with a flange 8, so that the same could be engaged between the fingers. Telescopically mounted in the section 5 is another tubular member 9, the bore IB of which is of a size corresponding to the bore 6 of the section 5.

The two sections are normally maintained in an extended position by a spring Il engaged in the bores E and I of the sections 5 and 9 respectively. The section 9 is provided with a clip I2, the free end I 3 of which is hooked or notched as shown at I4, to receive the spring of a vaginal diaphragm. The end I4 of the clip is normally at the ange 8 of the section 5.

The closed end 'l of the member 5 is notched, as shown at I5, to engage the spring of the vaginal diaphragm, necessarily in a diametrically opposite direction from that engaged by the hook of the clip I2. The two members 5 and 9 are prevented from separating by a key I6, located in the member 5 and made to engage a flat or groove Il in the member 9. This arrangement does not interfere with the telescopic movement of the device, as can be easily seen from Figure 1. 50 Any size of diaphragm can be engaged between the notch I5 and the hook I4 of the clip I2 by simply pushing the section 9 into the section 5, overcoming the resistance of the spring II until the spring of the diaphragm is engaged. The tendency of the spring II to extend the two sections of the inserter holds the diaphragm, which can then be positioned and released by simply 5 pushing the section 9 into the section 5,*while holding the flange 8 of the section 5 between the fingers and moving the inserter out of the dia-y phragm, the same being retained by the vaginal canal. 10

Since the lower member 5 never enters into the vaginal canal beyond the flange 8, there is no danger of pinching between the two members 5 and 9, nor is there any chance for liquid or semi-liquid matter entering between the two 15 members and thereby into the interior of the device formed by the two members.

From the above description, it will be seen that with my device, any size of a vaginal diaphragm can be accommodated on the inserter, without 20 any previous adjustment thereof.

I claim:

1. An inserter of the class described, comprising a pair of tubular telescoped members, the outer of said members having a notch for engaging the spring of a vaginal diaphragm, a clip secured to the inner member adapted to clear the outer when the two are telescoped, said clip having means for engaging the spring of a vaginal diaphragm, a spring in said tubular members normally tending to maintain them in an extended position.

2. An inserter of the class described, comprising a tubular member closed at one end and having an outer iiange at the open end, the lower end of said member being notched to engage the spring of a Vaginal diaphragm, a second tubular member closed at one end and fitting with the open end into the first member, a clip secured to said second member with one end and having the other free end normally extending in proximity of the ange of the first member, said clip at its free extremity being hooked to engage the spring of a vaginal diaphragm, a spring housed by said two tubular members and normally tending to maintain them in an extended position, said second tubular member having a flattened part and a key carried by the first member and engaging said flattened part of the second member whereby the two members are prevented from being separated.

OSCAR W. GRAVELEY. 

